Link: www.widowconnection.com
Widow Connection is a website of encouragement, information, and comprehensive resources. Topics from finances, family, and friendships, to emotions such as grief, anger, and loneliness are here for you. We share our stories, advocacy resources and much more.
Why is Widow Connection important? Consider these facts:
- 800,000 women become widows every year in the United States.
- Our friendship network shrinks by 75%.
- Financially, most widows experience decline and many experience surprises.
- Our financial need declines by 20% However, our income declines by 33%.
- Our average age is 52.
- Emotions of grief, anger, and loneliness intensify.
- 60% of widows experience significant illness in the first year.
- Clinical depression is the most common illness.
- After one year 50% no longer attend the church they attended with their husbands.
- Our family tree rearranges itself often with surprises.
(Taken from the Fast Facts page.)
This website was recommended to Linda Page, the Connections Director here at the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. She passed it along to us, and now we're sharing it with you. Please let us know in the comments what you think of the site!
Thank you so much for starting this website! I lost my husband suddenly in 2007. He was only 31 yrs old. I am now 30 and raising our 4 children. I would appreciate any prayers I can get! My childrens names are Devyne, Shaelyn, Bruce Jr.,and Mariah. Thank you so much and God bless you!
I lost my husband 2 years ago Feb 6. It has been such a financial struggle for me,but with my strong faith I am still surviving. I just learned of your website while listening to the Christian Radio Station driving home from work. I am so greatful for your website. Please pray that I will be provided for to not lose my home in forclosure. Thank You so much for being here for me.
My husband, Tom, of over 22 years went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 12, 2008. It is very difficult to lose your husband. Your entire life changes. I found widowsconnection.com at the EFCCL's woman's ministries website, and would highly recommend it.
Also Miriam Neff's new book "One Widow to Another" is excellent for encouragement and help.
Mariam,
We lead a GriefShare group, and when I heard you being interviewed by Gary Chapman one day last week, I wrote down the information about your website and book. I have shared this with the ladies in our group. Never having walked in your shoes of widowhood, you have touched on facts and issues that I could not address, because I have not been in your situation. Losing half of your being is so different from losing a parent, sibling or child. Each grief is crushing, but each has it's own individual need of healing.
Thank you for reaching out and sharing what you have learned and experienced with so many women who don't know where to turn.
At GriefShare, we say we are the the "Best Kept Secret" in the area. No one knows about the group, until someone else who needs the support is told about the group by someone who has benefitted from the support.
I'm Sharing your Secret with others.
May God continue to bless your ministry.
Marilynn
My husband passed away April 23, 2009. He unexpectedly had a heart attack on April 13, 2009. I lost my best friend. I have strong religious beliefs and those are what I am clinging to. I have never felt so alone. Please pray that doors open for friendship and support. Please pray that I am able to understand the hospital bills and the insurance payouts.
My husband of 38 years passed away suddenly of heart problems he was unaware of on July 3, 2008. He was 58 years old and the picture of health. He was my husband and best friend, and I miss him more than I can ever explain. Please pray for me as I struggle day by day.
My husband of 27 years had Cardiac failure Christmas Eve 2008. He died at age 58. I need to grieve but I can't. I shed a few tears every now and then, but then it passes. I am not taking medication because I didn't want to suppress any emotions. My church, my family and friends have prayed for my peace and strength and are proud of how I am doing. I am tired of being strong. My heart aches for my husband and the life we shared.
Having lost my husband suddenly in 1995 I soon realized it was what I knew about God before his death that got me thru the next grieving period of life. God's prescense became real as I no longer had my husband to depend on.
People can help but ulltimately it is our dependence on God that will help us deal with daily life situations. God is real and He is there for each of us.
I have found that my faith and trust in God before my husband passed is helping me through this difficult time of adjustment. Yes, I grieve, but I know that I am not alone. God said, "I am with you always". I cannot be the same person that I was when my husband was alive. I can be stronger or weaker. I choose to be stronger. I want my husband to look down from heaven and be proud of me. It has been nearly six months. I am awaiting the arrival of "From One Widow To Another". I was amazed at the Fast Facts about widows. Our family and friends need to be informed.
I like many of you are going thru MANY different issues that disturb me... Tomarrow August 15 will be my husbands anniversary death date. I wish I could find help, support, direction from those who are going through the same issues. Because I'm a novice at computers I find it difficult to find web sites, esp. those that do not want dating info.... My heart is broke, my patience is weak and I feel NO ONE in my circle understands the empty hurt I feel. I'm amaized on how quickly others have been able to push this experience in the past & expect me to be strong & carry on a normal life. My best friend is gone, I'm all alone struggling with finances, etc.... I sometimes struggle just to get thru the day, only to be left alone at night to deal with hurt & dismay. I know deep in my heart I'm not alone with these feelings & wish I could meet all of you over coffee just to share & discuss feelings; and how your dealing with some of the same issues.
Hello KATHRYN, Welcome to Widow Connection. I am so sorry for your loss. Nobody can understand the pain you feel except another widow. I too have had trouble finding help, support and direction. It has been a shorter time for me but the pain is the same. Other people have put this experience in the past because they can go on with their busy lives. Our life was dedicated to our spouse and part of us has been ripped away and our life is terribly different. Have you read "From One Widow To Another"? If not, look on Amazon.com where you can purchase new or used books at a fraction of the cost. This book helped me so much. Recently I lost my job and that has been an added burden. But, my faith and trust is in God and he has a plan for my life and for yours. I believe that a new job will turn up shortly. Plese write and possibly I can be of help to you. Be strong in the Lord. He will see us through this. May God Bless You and bring you peace. Karen in Tampa, Florida
My husband Stephen Philip of 20 years passed on 11-18-09 do to a Motorcycle accident. We had just hung up the phone and his last words to me were "don't call me I am on the bike and I can't hear the phone, be home in 20 minutes." My first thought was please take your time so I can watch Oprah, the cast of Nine was on that day. Well I got to watch the whole show and about 5:15 came the dreaded knock on the door. My biggest regret is that I did not tell him that I loved him or kiss him in the morning before I left for work. Stephen and I were together a total of 26 years he was not only my best friend but my business partner and I miss him terribly. So thanks so much for this web site not only does it give us a chance to share but it reminds us that we are not alone. Stephen and I never had "human kids" just cats so it was truly just us. Missing my Stephen P.(:
I heard you on the Moody Station. I was married to a Home Missionary. We spent 23 years with the Navajos. He died Dec. 2007. I am looking for a missionary couple who would park at my property in a trailer and help me to do upkeep such as painting, light carpentry, etc. Everything is so expensive and I have found that i get taken advantage of. At the mission people would come and help but I don't know how to contact them and I don't know who would help widows of missionaries. I am trying to sell(for aver 3 years) and if the Lord doesn't sell myplace, then upkeep definately needs to be done, actually now!! Thanks for your help. Joanie MacKeen
to miriam neff.....there are not enough words in the english language to express my deep gratitude for your book "From One Widow to Another"....God lead me to this book two weeks ago while I was browsing in a Family Christian Book Store in Columbia, SC, while visiting one of my sons and his family.
Everything you said hit me right in my heart....so very, very helpful. my sweet husband (82 years old) went to be with God on May 5, 2009. He had suffered many years with, so many, many problems. Liver cancer finally took him. He was diagnosed on May 15, 2008. Watching your life's partner die one day, hour, minute at a time, is the hardest thing any spouse is called on to do. My closest friend in her late fifties died two months before my husband with cancer of the mouth. she had never smoked, chewed or dipped tobacco. she was diagnosed two months after my husand and died two months before. There's no describing the anguish and hurt i have been going through. Every morning when i awoke, i looked up and said "OK God, this is the day you have made, let us rejoice and be glad in it, i know you are holding my hand, and together we are going to make it through this valley.
I, as you know, was confused after his and her death, tired, just lost.....i tried to put up a good front...but that didn't work.....depression had really set-in....then i found your book....i wish i could meet you and give you the biggest hug there ever could be....I thank God over and over again for leading me to that store.
I hope to get a grief group started at our church within this year. i'll be in touch about that. i have a summer home in the mountains of nc...and will be going there Easter weekend. Don't know if my computer will get service up there or not....please send me names of other books i can get to assist in setting that group.
Thank you for taking the time to read this long but very sincere message. May God bless you and keep you in His loving care forever....Your sister in Christ,
Nina L. Crosby, 113 Pine Street, Walterboro, SC 29488.
or 190 Wild Turkey Run, Otto, NC 28763